John,
I went for the Ford 515. Here are some pictures:
https://picasaweb.google.com/110263...5SickleBarMower?authkey=Gv1sRgCIyEkLyfy8DSswE
The Ford 501 is basically the same mower, but it uses a pitman arm drive that limits the angle from horizontal you can mow. The 515 has a wobble box on the bar driven by a belt, so it can mow most any angle you dare to try it on. The only modifications I had to make is that the spring for helping bring up the bar has to tie to a draw bar so as you lift the arms the spring pulls the tip of the bar up faster/higher. I made a bar out of 2x2 square tube that angles out so the tie the spring misses the PTO shaft. The other modification was the break away bar the connects to the stabilizer point under the Ford tractor axle. I took the break away bar off and chained the mower to the same point as the left lift arm attachment to the tractor. I then put a weak link in the chain so that if I hit something solid and the mower needs to break away, it will break the link. I suspect the mower can easily swing the front of the B7100 around before it breaks the link since it is so light on the front. I did add fluid to all 4 tires to improve the stability when mowing. I used it last summer to mow ditches along side of our road and was very satisfied with it. I don't know if I would want to mow a whole hay field with it. I don't remember right off, but I think it has a 5 or 6 ft bar.
If you need any more pictures, I can try to get them. I have it stored for the winter now.
Good luck,
John
